Sled with detachable runner



Feb. 21, 1956 F. T. PADEN ET AL SLED WITH DETACHABLE RUNNER Filed May 16, 1952 s Sheets- Sheet 1 7 ,I a F c=3 as 36 I K ii ll WI 1 18 a1 62 k6 I ii 5 v 16 9 P I E i 126 19 16 e6 l-9 1a 17 37 16 i 10 1 a? a I In III 1 Q 3 13 l j E l) I .21 9:2, as I 1/ Hill NTORS Y W70 wa ATTORNEY b- 21, 1956 F. T. PADEN ETAL SLED WITH DETACHABLE RUNNER 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May 16, 1952 INVENTORS Y B N N m X 0 mm hlw ATTORNEY I Feb. 21, 1956 Filed May 16, 1952 F. T. PADEN ET AL SLED WITH DETACHABLE RUNNER 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTORS EQCZQIMIPQ dazz AZECQZLCZQ (3.15. Weiss ATTORNEY United States Patent 2",'73"5",690 SLED WiTH DETAGI'I' ABLE RUNNER Frederick T. Paden; Colliitgsv'vood', N. J., arid Alexander C.-H. Wei'ss, (lhichgd;-lliz,- assigliols tothe United States ofi America as representedby the Secretary of the Army Application May 16, 1952; serial No. 288,362 3 Claims; (Cl. zso rz (Granted und er Tide :5, 5. case (1952), see. 266) The invention described herein, if patented, may be manufactured and used by or for the Government for governmental purposes, without the payment to us of any royalty; thereon.

Ourinven'tion relates to sleds.

A primary object of the invention is to provide a lightweight sled which is substantially unitary in construction and formed of molded plastics material, or the like.

A further object of the invention weight sled of the above-mentioned character particularly adapted to be used by military personnel in arctic regions for hauling small arms, ammunition and other supplies.

A stillfu'rther object is'to pro'vide'a sled of the abovementioned character which is highly simplified in construction, rugged and durable, easy to repair and maintain, and quite inexpensive to manufacture inquantity.

Still anoth'er'object of the invention is to provide a sled of the class described embodying a novel detachable runner construction whi'chp'rolo'ngs the useful life of the sled'and also adds to the rigidity and strength of the same.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent during the course of the following description.

In'the accompanyingdrawings, forming a part of this application, and in which like numerals are employed to designatelike partsthroughout' the same,

Figure 1 is a plan View of a sled embodying our invention,

Figure 2 is a bottom plan view of the same,

Figure3 is a side elevation of the sled,

Figure 4is-acentral verticallongitudinal section on line 4'4 of Figur'e' l,

Figured isa'front end elevation of the sled,

Figure 6 is a rear end elevation of th'e same,

Figure 7 is a transverse vertical section online 7 -7 of Figure 1,

Figure 8' isan enlarged fragmentary vertical section on line 8-8'of Figure l, and

Figure 9 is a similar section on line 99 of Figure 1.

In the drawings, wheretor the purpose of illustration is shown a preferred embodiment of our invention, the numeral 10 designates generally a sled body portion formed of a unitary section of molded sheet plastics material, or the like. If desired, other suitable materials possessing the desired degrees of toughness and rigidity maybeemployed, such as sheet metal, sheet fibrous material and the like. The'entire body portion 10 is preferably allwhite, for afiording a-cam'ouflaged etfect in snow covered'regions Where it is intended to use-the sledtor hauling military supplies and the like.

The sled body portion 10 is essentially. a wide, somewhatelongated generally. flat bottomed receptacle, which is :quite shallow;- as=shown. The bottom 11 of thesled is: transversely generally fiatas shown in Figures 5,

is to provide a light- 2. 6 and 7, and slopes upwardly; gradually toward the forward end or bow df the sled, Figures 3 and 4. From a point near the longitudinal center line ofthe body portion 10; the bottom 11 is substantially flat and horizoiitjal toward the rear end of the sled, as shown.

The body portion 10 further includes upwardly slopi'rig curved s'id'e walls 12,- int'egral with the bottom 11 and extending longitudinally of the body portion 10 for substantially the entire:length or the same. The side walls 12 are relatively low for providing a shallow construction in the sled, and are of substantially uni form height from the rear end of thesled to a: point near the longitudinal center thereof. From the longitudinal center of the sled forwardly, the side walls 12 gradually decrease in height as shown in Figures 3' and 4, and the sled becomes gradually more shallow toward the forward end of the same.

The body portion 10 further comprises a rear transverse end' wall 13 which is generally vertical and transversely straight as shown in' Figures 1 and 2, and the fear end wan 13 is likewise formed integral with the side walls 12 and bottom 11 for producingthe unitary sled body portion; The rear end wall 13 is arranged substantially atright anglesto the sidewalls 12, Figures 1 and 2, and the side walls are straight and parallel from the rear end' of the sledto' points near and forwardly oi its longitudinal center. The rear end wall 13 preferably has a slight rearward inclination, as shown in Figures 3 and 4;

The forward-end 14 of the sled-body portionis'bluntly rounded as shown in Figures 1 and 2; where the upwardly sloping bottom 11- and the'forwardly converging curved side walls' 1-2 all merge smoothly together, as shown" in- Figure 5. The forward end 14 of the sled presents a continuous and smoothly rounded surface to meet the snow through which the" sled is adapted to be drawn. The top of the bodyportion 10 isentirely open, asshowmand the entire body portion is shallow, as previously stated.

A relatively wide inverted channel-shaped flange or ganwale 15 extends continuously aboutthe top of the body portion 10, adjacent to the margin of the same, and formed integral with the side and end walls of the body portion. The gunwale 15- includes a top generally horizontal web ldand a marginal depending-substantially verticalweb 1 7, integral therewith. The gunwale 15 adds materially to the overall rigidity of the sled,.-without increasing. substantially the weightlof the same, and also affords a ready means of lifting: and carrying the lightweight sled.

As shown best in Figure 5-, the forward end 14' and gunwale- 15 are upwardly arched, or curved, so that at the transversecenter of the sled, the gnnwale- 15 is at anelevation substantially. above the rest, of the'body portion, Figure 4. The rear end wall 13 and gunwale 15 curve downwardly slightly toward the transversecenter of the sled andthe' lowes't' point ofthe gunwale 15 is atthe transverse center of'the rear end wall 13 as shown clearly in Figure" 6. The construction is such that the topflange' or; web 16 of the "gunw'ale is inasubstantially continuously changingpla'ne, asshowii in Figure 6'.

The bottom 11 is foririedor' molded to p rb'vide elongated parallel longitudinal channels 18 fanning: longitudin'al grooves'in" the boners ofthe sledl' onechanneimis formed at the transverse center of thebottom 11: while the other channels are formednear the outer sides of the bottom 11 and adjacent to the inclined side walls 12. The three channels 18 arespaced apart equidistantl y',transversely. of the sled and the channels-formingthe grooves are straight andextend continuously-throughout the major portion-of-the length of thesledbo'ttom 11, see Figures 3 and 4. The tops 19 of the channels 18 are transversely flat, as shown, and their sides 20 preferably diverge downwardly slightly and are integrally joined to the tops 19 and sled bottom 11 by portions having generous radii, as shown in Figures 8 and 9. The channels 18 add materially to the strength and rigidity of the body portion 18 and also form seats for removable runners, to be described. The rear ends 21 of the channels 18 preferably terminate in transverse alignment near and slightly forwardly of the rear end wall 13, while the forward ends 22 of the channels terminate near and rearwardly of the extreme forward end 14 of the sled body portion.

Removable runners 23 of plastics material, or the like are mounted within the longitudinal grooves afforded by the channels 18 and extend continuously throughout the entire lengths of the channels 18, as shown. The runners 23 may be formed of other suitable materials, such as metal, fibrous material, wood or the like if preferred. The runners 23 are of substantially uniform thickness and cross section throughout substantially their entire lengths and the runners 23 are generally rectangular in cross section, as shown. The sides of the runners 23 preferably converge upwardly slightly as at 24, Figure 9, for firm wedging engagement between the sides 20 of the channels 18, and the tops of the runners preferably contact the tops 19 of the channels throughout their entire lengths. The lower working surfaces 25 of the runners are of course smooth and continuous, and are spaced below the bottom 11 of the sled body portion. The runners 23 are shaped longitudinally to follow the contours of the sled bottom 11, as shown in the drawings.

The runners 23 are detachably secured within the grooves formed by the channels 18 by means of transverse cotter pins 26, or the like, which extend through registering downwardly converging openings 27 and 28 formed in the channel sides 20 and runners 23, respectively, see Figure 8. The openings 28 meet or intersect at the transverse centers of the runners 23 so that continuous passages through the runners are provided for the cotter pins 26, which may be driven therethrough for firmly anchoring the runners 23 within the grooves. Any desired number of cotter pins 26 may be employed for detachably securing the runners 23 to the sled, and we prefer employing about seven of the cotter pins at longitudinally spaced intervals along the channels 18, as shown in Figures 3 and 4, the spacing of the cotter pins being somewhat closer near the forward and rear extremities of the runners. It should be understood that additional cotter pins 26 may be employed as desired. The arrangement is such that the transverse cotter pins 26 are disposed above the sled bottom 11 as shown, and are insertable and removable from the inside of the sled. The cotter pins 26 are not even visible from below the sled, and the construction is highly simplified, as well as sturdy and attractive in appearance.

The tops of the runners 23 are preferably provided with longitudinal grooves 29, preferably extending for the entire lengths of the runners. The channels 18 are provided at longitudinally spaced points near the forward and rear ends of the sled with vertical openings 30, Figure 9, receiving upwardly directed screws 31, the heads 32 of which occupy the space afforded by the grooves 29. Metal clips 32 having eyes 33 are mounted upon the screws 31 and clamped against the tops of the channels 18 by nuts 34. Lashing rings or eyelets 35 are pivotally secured within the eyes 33 of the clips 32, as shown, and these lashing rings are adapted to receive a suitable rope or cord, not shown, which is used to lash down supplies to the bottom 11 of the sled.

The top web 16 of the gunwale 15 is provided at longitudinally spaced points upon the gunwale with elongated openings 36, within which may be mounted grommets 37 of thin gage metal or the like. This arrangement provides means for lashing additional supplies or articles to the sled, as a suitable rope may be laced through the several groinmets 37 and crisscrossed back and forth across the top of 4 the sled as desired. A flexible covering of white canvas or the like, not shown, may be arranged beneath the lastmentioned lashing rope to further protect and cover the supplies carried by the sled and further camouflage the sled in arctic regions.

Near the forward end of the sled, and at the transverse center of the same the sled body portion is formed or molded to provide a relatively steep upwardly inclined section or wall 38, integral therewith and transversely rounded and rearwardly convexed as best shown in Figtires 1 and 6. The inclined wall 38 may be substantia'tly cylindrically curved transversely, and is relatively narrow as compared to the width of the sled as shown in Figure 1. The wall 38 blends smoothly into the bottom 11 and forward end 14, as shown in Figure 5. A pair of vertically spaced openings are formed in the inciined wall 38 for receiving a U-shaped towing bolt 39, rigidly secured therein by nuts 40 and 41, arranged above and below the inclined wall 38. A similar U-shaped towing bolt 42 is arranged at the rear end of the sled body portion and at the transverse center of the same, and is rigidly secured within openings formed in the rear end wall 13, by nuts 43, arranged upon the inner and outer sides of the rear wall, as shown. The arrangement is such that the sled may be towed through the snow by means of a rope engaging the U-shaped towing bolt 39, and any desired number of sleds may be connected and towed in tandem by means of the towing bolts 39 and 42.

The sled body portion 10 is further formed near its forwardmost end to provide an integral short vertical sleeve 44, disposed at the transverse center of the sled and just forwardly of the inclined wall 38. The sleeve 44 is integrally secured to the gunwale 15 and inclined wall 38 as shown in Figure 4. The top end of the sleeve 44 is preferably spaced slightly above the top web 16 of the gunwals at the forwardmost or highest point of the sled, as shown, the lowermost end of the sleeve 44 is preferably in alignment with the lower edge of the gunwale web 17 at the forwardmost end of the sled, Figure 4. The vertical sleeve 44 is adapted to receive the pintle of a light field machine gun, not shown, so that the same may be transported by or operated from the sled.

We wish to again emphasize that the sled is extremely lightweight and substantially one-piece or unitary in construction. The material of the sled body portion may be quite thin and the sled will still be stiff and strong, due to the reinforcing effect of the gunwale 15, channels 18 and runners.

Although we do not wish to limit the invention to any particular size or dimensions, it is preferred that the sled be capable of carrying about one hundred pounds of supplies, so that one soldier may readily tow the same by means of the towing bolt 39.

When the runners 23 become worn or damaged, their removal and replacement is very simple, since it is merely necessary to remove cotter pins 26 and then replace the runners with new ones, reinserting the cotter pins within the openings 27 and 28. Substantially no other maintenance of the sled is required, and the same is adapted to have a long life, even during rough usage such as in war times.

It is to be understood that the form of our invention, herewith shown and described is to be taken as a preferred example of the same, and that various changes in the shape, size and arrangement of parts may be resorted to, without departing from the spirit of the invention or scope of the subjoined claims.

Having thus described our invention we claim:

1. In a sled a unitary body portion of substantially stiff sheet material and including a bottom, transversely spaced longitudinal channels formed in the bottom and extending continuously for substantially the entire length of the bottom, the channels having tops spaced above said bottom and sides which converge upwardly, the sides of the channels having transverse openings spaced above the bottom of the sled body portion, runners engaging within the channels and extending throughout substantially their entire lengths and having upwardly converging sides which contact the converging sides of the channels, the lower surfaces of the runners being spaced below the bottom of the sled body portion, the runners having spaced transverse openings for registration with the openings of the channels and being provided in their tops with longitudinal grooves, pin means engaging through the registering openings of the runners and channels and securing the runners within the channels, there being openings formed in the tops of the channels above the grooves of the runners, upwardly directed screws extending through the openings in the tops of the channels and having their heads disposed Within the space afforded by said grooves, lashing elements connected with the screws, and a towing element secured to the sled body portion near its forward end.

2. A sled for use in hauling military supplies and the like comprising a unitary body portion of molded sheet plastics material, said body portion including a generally flat wide bottom and relatively low upwardly inclined side walls integrally secured to the bottom, there being a rear end wall for the sled body portion extending transversely thereof and integrally secured to the side walls and bottom and being of substantially the same height as the side walls so that the body portion is substantially shallow, the bottom of the body portion sloping upwardly gradually toward the forward end of the body portion, the forward end of the body portion being transversely rounded, the forward end including a steeply inclined central portion disposed at the transverse center of the body portion, a towing element secured to the steeply inclined portion and projecting forwardly thereof and spaced a substantial distance above the lowermost point of the bottom, a substantially vertical sleeve secured to the forward end of the body portion forwardly of the steeply inclined portion and disposed above the towing element, a channel-shaped flange formed upon the top of the body portion and extending continuously about the margin of the same for stiffening the body portion, the top of the flange being provided with longitudinally spaced openings adapted to receive a flexible lashing element, said sleeve being adapted to receive a pintle of a the entire length of the machine gun, and runner means secured to the bottom of the body portion and projecting below the same.

3. A sled comprising a unitary body portion of substantially still sheet plastics material and including a bottom, transversely spaced longitudinal channels formed in the bottom and extending continuously for substantially bottom, the channels having tops spaced above said bottom and sides which converge upwardly, the sides of the channels having transverse openings spaced above said bottom, runners engaging within the channels and extending throughout substantially their entire lengths and having upwardly converging sides contacting the converging sides of the channels, the bottoms of the runners projecting below the bottom of the sled body portion, the runners having spaced transverse openings for registration with the openings of the channels and being provided in their tops with longitudinal recesses, pin means engaging through the registering openings of the runners and channels and securing the runners within the channels, there being openings formed in the tops of the channels above said recesses of the runners, upwardly directed fastener elements extending through the lastnamed openings and having heads arranged below the tops of the channels and within said recesses of the runners, and lashing elements secured to the fastener elements above the tops of the channels.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 252,422 Briggs Jan. 17, 1882 359,741 Pusey Mar. 22, 1887 533,981 Ballou 1. Feb. 12, 1895 576,512 Tucker Feb. 2, 1897 1,544,965 Bavousett July 7, 1925 2,143,285 Schofield Jan. 10, 1939 2,219,905 Prickman Oct. 29, 1940 2,317,414 Smith Apr. 27, 1943 2,390,472 Swann Dec. 4, 1945 2,523,052 Normandin Sept. 19, 1950 2,611,979 Weller Sept. 30, 1952 2,630,353 Rutz Mar. 3, 1953 FOREIGN PATENTS 65,227 Norway Sept. 14, 1942 80,599 Sweden June 5, 1934 

